Brightly coloured spinnakers in red, orange and pink brightened up an otherwise dull and dreary Marsamxett Harbour on Saturday as twelve boats took part in the Autumn Round Comino Race hosted by the Royal Malta Yacht Club.
As the rain pelted the fleet throughout most of the 30 nautical mile course, the wind conditions – close to 25 knots, were perfect in providing the boats with conditions for a short yet fast race that saw big waves to the west of Comino but generally flat on the eastern side of Malta.
As Race Officer Peter Dimech set the fleet off in one start, the Ripard family’s Calypso, Andrew Agius Delicata’s Vivace and Lee Satariano’s Artie III took charge and led the fleet out of the harbour. From then on Satariano took the lead to gain a considerable advantage as he steered the HH42 around the Fairway Buoy before taking a straight course to Comino.
Rounding the mark behind Artie III were Calypso, Vivace, jonathan Gambin’s Ton Ton Laferla and Ramon Sant Hill’s Comanche Raider III. In the cruisers’ fleet it was Mario Debono’s Janissah to rounded first.
First to cross the finish line in front of the RMYC was Satariano’s Artie III who also won his Class – IRC1. In IRC 2 Andrew Agius Delicata and Matthew Gabriele’s Vivace took the honours whilst the Cruisers Class was won by Mario Debono’s Janissah.
“The dreary and wet conditions did nothing to dampen the fleet’s competitive spirit on Sunday morning. In spite of the rain, the wind and water conditions were just right for a short and fast race,” said Race Officer Peter Dimech.
Prizes to the winners will be given out at a prize giving evening on Thursday, December 9.
In a statement, the RMYC thanked Peter Dimech and Simone Dimech as well as Edgar Warrington for their assistance during the race.
The next race on the RMYC Racing calendar is the Zhik Double Handed Figure of Eight Round Malta which is being presented by RLR Yachting.
The race will take place on Saturday.
RESULTS
IRC Class 1
1. Artie III (Lee Satariano); 2. Ton Ton Laferla Insurance (Jonathan Gambin); 3. Comanche Raider III (Ramon Sant Hill).
IRC Class 2
1. Vivace (Andrew Agius Delicata/Matthew Gabriele); 2. Calypso (Sebastian Ripard, Tom Ripard); 3. JYS Jan (Saul Vassallo).
